Parallel Verses

Youngs Literal Translation

and the natural man doth not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for to him they are foolishness, and he is not able to know them, because spiritually they are discerned;

New American Standard Bible

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

King James Version

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Holman Bible

But the unbeliever does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually.

International Standard Version

A person who isn't spiritual doesn't accept the things of God's Spirit, for they are nonsense to him. He can't understand them because they are spiritually evaluated.

A Conservative Version

Now the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is unable to understand because they are evaluated spiritually.

American Standard Version

Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.

Amplified

But the natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the things [the teachings and revelations] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness [absurd and illogical] to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, [and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters].

An Understandable Version

Now the natural person [Note: Since this person is contrasted with the spiritual person of verse 15, it is taken here to mean the person without the Holy Spirit] does not receive the things [i.e., truths] revealed by the Holy Spirit of God, because they are [considered] foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them because they must be discerned by using spiritual judgment [i.e., judgment aided by the Holy Spirit].

Anderson New Testament

But an animal man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he can not know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Bible in Basic English

For the natural man is not able to take in the things of the Spirit of God: for they seem foolish to him, and he is not able to have knowledge of them, because such knowledge comes only through the Spirit.

Common New Testament

But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Daniel Mace New Testament

but the animal man does not receive the effusions of the spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him; neither can he understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Darby Translation

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him; and he cannot know them because they are spiritually discerned;

Godbey New Testament

But the intellectual man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; and he is not able to know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Goodspeed New Testament

A material man will not accept what the Spirit of God offers. It seems mere folly to him, and he cannot understand it, because it takes spiritual insight to see its true value.

John Wesley New Testament

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit; for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Julia Smith Translation

And the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: and he cannot know, for they are spiritually examined.

King James 2000

But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Lexham Expanded Bible

But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to understand [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

Modern King James verseion

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

For the natural man perceiveth not the things of the spirit of God, for they are but foolishness unto him: Neither can he perceive them, because he is spiritually examined.

Moffatt New Testament

The unspiritual man rejects these truths of the Spirit of God; to him they are 'sheer folly,' he cannot understand them. And the reason is, that they must be read with the spiritual eye.

Montgomery New Testament

The unspiritual man rejects the teachings of God's Spirit; for him it is folly. He cannot understand it, for it is spiritually discerned,

NET Bible

The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

New Heart English Bible

Now the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Noyes New Testament

But the unspiritual man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot know them; because they are spiritually discerned.

Sawyer New Testament

But the natural man receives not the [things] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot know them, for they are spiritually discerned.

The Emphasized Bible

But, a man of the soul, doth not welcome the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, and he cannot get to know them, because, spiritually, are they examined;

Thomas Haweis New Testament

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are folly to him: and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Twentieth Century New Testament

The merely intellectual man rejects the teaching of the Spirit of God; for to him it is mere folly; he cannot grasp it, because it is to be understood only by spiritual insight.

Webster

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Weymouth New Testament

The unspiritual man rejects the things of the Spirit of God, and cannot attain to the knowledge of them, because they are spiritually judged.

Williams New Testament

An unspiritual man does not accept the things that the Spirit of God teaches, for they are nonsense to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are appreciated by spiritual insight.

World English Bible

Now the natural man doesn't receive the things of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can't know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Worrell New Testament

But a natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.

Worsley New Testament

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
But
δέ 
De 
but, and, now, then, also, yet, yea, so, moreover, nevertheless, for, even, , not tr
Usage: 2184

the natural
ψυχικός 
Psuchikos 
Usage: 6

man
ἄνθρωπος 
Anthropos 
man, not tr,
Usage: 316

δέχομαι 
Dechomai 
Usage: 30

not
οὐ 
Ou 
not, no, cannot ,
Usage: 1032

the things

which, who, the things, the son,
Usage: 0

of the Spirit
πνεῦμα 
Pneuma 
Usage: 334

of God
θεός 
theos 
Usage: 1151

for
γάρ 
Gar 
for, , not tr
Usage: 825

ἐστί 
Esti 
is, are, was, be, have, not tr, , vr is
Usage: 585

μωρία 
Moria 
Usage: 5


Usage: 0

οὐ 
Ou 
not, no, cannot ,
Usage: 1032

can
δύναμαι 
Dunamai 
can , cannot , be able, may , able,
Usage: 140

he know
γινώσκω 
Ginosko 
Usage: 147

ὅτι 
Hoti 
Usage: 764

πνευματικῶς 
Pneumatikos 
Usage: 2

Images 1 Corinthians 2:14

Prayers for 1 Corinthians 2:14

Context Readings

The Wisdom Revealed By The Spirit

13 which things also we speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Holy Spirit, with spiritual things spiritual things comparing, 14 and the natural man doth not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for to him they are foolishness, and he is not able to know them, because spiritually they are discerned; 15 and he who is spiritual, doth discern indeed all things, and he himself is by no one discerned;


Cross References

1 Corinthians 1:18

for the word of the cross to those indeed perishing is foolishness, and to us -- those being saved -- it is the power of God,

Jude 1:19

these are those setting themselves apart, natural men, the Spirit not having.

Matthew 13:11-17

And he answering said to them that -- 'To you it hath been given to know the secrets of the reign of the heavens, and to these it hath not been given,

1 Corinthians 15:44

it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body; there is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body;

Matthew 16:23

and he having turned, said to Peter, 'Get thee behind me, adversary! thou art a stumbling-block to me, for thou dost not mind the things of God, but the things of men.'

John 3:3-6

Jesus answered and said to him, 'Verily, verily, I say to thee, If any one may not be born from above, he is not able to see the reign of God;'

John 5:44

how are ye able -- ye -- to believe, glory from one another receiving, and the glory that is from God alone ye seek not?

John 8:51-52

verily, verily, I say to you, If any one may keep my word, death he may not see -- to the age.'

1 Corinthians 15:46

but that which is spiritual is not first, but that which was natural, afterwards that which is spiritual.

James 3:15

this wisdom is not descending from above, but earthly, physical, demon-like,

Proverbs 14:6

A scorner hath sought wisdom, and it is not, And knowledge to the intelligent is easy.

John 6:44-45

no one is able to come unto me, if the Father who sent me may not draw him, and I will raise him up in the last day;

John 8:43

wherefore do ye not know my speech? because ye are not able to hear my word.

John 10:20

and many of them said, 'He hath a demon, and is mad, why do ye hear him?'

John 10:26-27

but ye do not believe, for ye are not of my sheep,

John 12:37

yet he having done so many signs before them, they were not believing in him,

John 14:26

and the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and remind you of all things that I said to you.

John 15:26

And when the Comforter may come, whom I will send to you from the Father -- the Spirit of truth, who from the Father doth come forth, he will testify of me;

John 16:8-15

and having come, He will convict the world concerning sin, and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment;

Acts 16:14

and a certain woman, by name Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, worshipping God, was hearing, whose heart the Lord did open to attend to the things spoken by Paul;

Acts 17:18

And certain of the Epicurean and of the Stoic philosophers, were meeting together to see him, and some were saying, 'What would this seed picker wish to say?' and others, 'Of strange demons he doth seem to be an announcer;' because Jesus and the rising again he did proclaim to them as good news,

Acts 17:32

And having heard of a rising again of the dead, some, indeed, were mocking, but others said, 'We will hear thee again concerning this;'

Acts 18:15

but if it is a question concerning words and names, and of your law, look ye yourselves to it, for a judge of these things I do not wish to be,'

Acts 25:19

but certain questions concerning their own religion they had against him, and concerning a certain Jesus who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive;

Acts 26:24-25

And, he thus making a defence, Festus with a loud voice said, 'Thou art mad, Paul; much learning doth turn thee mad;'

Romans 8:5-8

For those who are according to the flesh, the things of the flesh do mind; and those according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit;

1 Corinthians 1:23

also we -- we preach Christ crucified, to Jews, indeed, a stumbling-block, and to Greeks foolishness,

1 Corinthians 2:12

And we the spirit of the world did not receive, but the Spirit that is of God, that we may know the things conferred by God on us,

2 Corinthians 4:4-6

in whom the god of this age did blind the minds of the unbelieving, that there doth not shine forth to them the enlightening of the good news of the glory of the Christ, who is the image of God;

1 John 2:20

And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and have known all things;

1 John 2:27

and you, the anointing that ye did receive from him, in you it doth remain, and ye have no need that any one may teach you, but as the same anointing doth teach you concerning all, and is true, and is not a lie, and even as was taught you, ye shall remain in him.

1 John 5:20

and we have known that the Son of God is come, and hath given us a mind, that we may know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ; this one is the true God and the life age-during!

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain